CASA verifies five new drone safety apps

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has approved five new safety apps designed to support recreational and commercial drone flyers.

All five apps give users location-based information about where they can and cannot fly a drone according to safety rules. They join a suite of three already verified drone safety apps using CASA’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Digital Platform that have been published on the CASA website.

This platform is designed to allow third party app developers to deliver safety information to drone users in a consistent and accessible way.

The five new developers joining the remotely piloted aircraft systems digital platform are Aerologix, AirAssess, AVCRM, Flyanra and FlyFreely.

CASA Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Acting Branch Manager Sharon Marshall-Keeffe said the authority is pleased to be supporting Australia’s growing drone community.

“The apps help both commercial and recreational drone flyers stay safe. Commercial operators will find the apps useful for planning, getting an airspace authorisation near a controlled aerodrome, and conducting and recording their operations,” she said.

“With Australians flying drones in record numbers, these apps play an essential role assisting people to fly within the rules. They clearly define the location of restricted airspace, major obstacles, airports and danger areas.”

Drone flyers found in breach of safety regulations could be liable for fines of up to $11,100.

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